Barbican Turbo hits full throttle

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamadan Al Nahyan, and HE Janos Gonczi, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary, today opened The Barbican Turbo festival at the ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre), and the Wheels Top 100 custom car competition, making this the region's biggest collection of custom and modified cars from companies and enthusiasts alike, ever seen under one roof.

With some of the most famous, finest and fastest custom and tuning specialists attending from around the region including Liberty Motorsports, Chrome and Carbon and Extreme Performance, visitors are getting a sneak peek at the latest incredible project cars, as well as the latest tuning and styling products and a few surprises too. And for the very first time in the Middle East visitors to Barbican Turbo have the chance to watch the legendary world drifting champions from Japan and stars of the box office smash the Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift; Team Orange, performing their twin-drifting display.

The festival is also highlighting the standard of car customisation in the region, with the winners of the Wheels Top 100 competition, the Sound Off Competition run by SAFE (The Society of Auto Owners and Filipino Expats) and the Dyno Shoot Out run by Extreme Performance announced on Saturday. Registration was open to everyone and UAE residents did not disappoint with registrations far exceeding the number of places in the competition.

Bryan Espie, Marketing Manager, CMPi, said:

"We are overwhelmed at the response we have had to this festival and to the Wheels Top 100! Support from the general public and local car clubs has been staggering with cars from UAE Boost; the VW Club; the Abu Dhabi Riders; SAFE; Pinoy; Exo Class and the Corvette UAE Club!"

We wanted the Wheels Top 100 to represent the cars of the people, the enthusiasts! Entries into the competition range from a Nissan Sunny to 4 x 4's; Mustangs; a 1955 Porsche and even a Ferrari with over 30 modifications! Speaking to some of the owners the work and passion which goes into every car is breathtaking and I can't wait to find out who wins the very first Barbican Turbo Wheels Top 100 Car of the Festival trophy!" said Espie.

Running in conjunction with Barbican Turbo is Adrenaline Sports Live, the Middle East's first action packed adrenaline sports festival where the Vans Pro Skate Team will be performing insane tricks and high flying action during the Desert Dune Bash! Tickets purchased for either event will provide entry into both festivals.